Category Archives: Things to do

Kick off the holiday season

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Get ready to kick off the holidays Quincy style with Santa and the elves, sing alongs, and two tree lightings. Here’s a roundup of Quincy and Squantum holiday festivities over Thanksgiving weekend. Head out with your friends and family to celebrate the warmth of the season.

Santa at Squantum Tree LightingSquantum Tree Lighting
Sunday, November 28, 2021 at 4:30 pm (after the Quincy Parade)
Gilbert Memorial Park, at the intersection of Huckins Avenue and East Squantum Street [map]
Join the festivities as we kick off the holiday season with the annual Tree Lighting following the Quincy Christmas Parade. Head over to the triangle at Gilbert Memorial Park and join your neighbors for hot cocoa and delicious cookies provided by the Seaside Gardeners of Squantum. Join in on the carol singing as we welcome Santa Claus who will do the honors of lighting up the tree! Hope to see you and the whole family there!

Note: if the Quincy Parade is postponed due to weather, the tree lighting will also be postponed.

Quincy holiday festivities
View the flyer for the weekend festivities, or visit the Quincy site with info.

Quincy Tree LightingQuincy tree lighting celebration
Friday, November 26, 5–7 pm
Hancock Adams Common
, 1305 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA [map]
Enjoy the Hancock-Adams Common, decked with twinkling lights and holiday displays. Mayor Koch and special guests – maybe one from the North Pole – will flip the switch to bring the holiday spirit to the Common. Heated tents will be set up for this event. Enjoy strolling Victorian carolers, ice sculptures, street performers, and costumed characters, as well as activities including letter writing to Santa. Enjoy free popcorn and hot chocolate, and check out holiday treats from local vendors

Santa arrives by helicopterSanta and Elves arrival by helicopter
Saturday, November 27, 
Noon
Pageant Field, One Merrymount Parkway (up the road from Adams Field), Quincy, MA [map]
Santa and his elves arrive in Quincy by helicopter, landing at Pageant Field, at this fun family event. While waiting for the touchdown of the Jolly Old Elf and friends, take a hayride around the field or “high-five” one of the visiting costumed characters

68th Christmas ParadeCity of Quincy Christmas Parade
Sunday, November 28, 12:30 pm-3:30 pm
Hancock Street
Enjoy an old fashioned Christmas parade featuring high school and adult marching bands from around the state, Christmas themed floats, costumed characters, antique vehicles, and Santa in his traditional fire truck ride. The parade route begins at the intersection of Hancock Street and the Walter J. Hannon Parkway, continuing up Hancock Street to North Quincy High School. This is one of the largest parades in the Commonwealth.

MenorahMenorah Lighting
Sunday, November 28, 4:00 pm
Hancock-Adams Common
, 1305 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA [map]
Join a ceremony to light the first candle on the menorah outside City Hall as we observe the beginning of Chanukah.

Meet the candidates for School Committee Oct 6

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Join the Squantum Community Association on October 6 to meet the candidates running for School Committee in the November 2 election. Come meet our neighbors interested in serving our community. At this informal gathering (not a debate) each candidate will share their thoughts in an opening statement and residents will be invited to pose questions. Please also consider sending your questions for the candidates to the SCA in advance and we will pose them to the candidates on your behalf.

Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 7 pm
First Church of Squantum (lower level)
164 Bellevue Rd, Squantum, MA (map)
Refreshments will be served.

The candidates running for School Committee

  • Tina Cahill (website; view QATV candidate’s message)
  • Doug Gutro (incumbent; website)
  • Emily Lebo (incumbent, website)
  • Courtney Perdios. (website; Perdios was chosen by committee members in January to fill the vacant seat of then-Vice Chair Anthony Andronico who left to join the city council.)
  • Liberty Scaaf (website)
  • Liz Speakman (website)

News coverage

On the ballot on November 2 

  • Three School Committee seats (Learn about the School Committee)
  • Six ward council positions
  • Three at-large council seats

About the Squantum Community Association
The Squantum Community Association provides programming that fosters conversation and community with a focus on topics of interest to the Squantum and Quincy communities, highlighting local talent and history.

To subscribe to event notifications send us a note.

Santa is coming to Squantum on Dec 20!

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Santa Claus is coming to Squantum!
Sunday, December 20, 2020
Tour starts at 11:00 AM and will wind through the neighborhoods.

Hello Squantum! Hope you and your loved ones are healthy and getting ready for some relaxation as we head into this holiday season 2020. Since Santa was not able to join us at our annual tree lighting, he’s coming to a street near you! Get the kiddies ready for Santa’s big Squantum tour. Keep an eye out for his red pick up “sleigh” with flashing lights as he drives through our neighborhoods starting at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday.

Note that Santa will not be able to stop or exit the vehicle for photos. We want to keep him safe for his big night coming up!

 

Sponsored by the Squantum Community Association

Squantum Turkey Trot goes virtual for 2020

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Hello, Squantumites. It’s a 2020-style holiday season this year, and as you might guess, the Turkey Trot is going virtual! Here’s how you can participate with a fun run of your own and still support the Squantum July Fourth Parade.

Annual Turkey Trot Fun Run/Walk
This year, you can pick any day to run your Turkey Trot! Run it on Thanksgiving Day…or any day you choose! Before you head out for your run, head over to the Squantum School on November 15 or 22 to pick up your T-Shirt and drop off your $20 donation for the July Fourth Parade.

Then head out for your run, snap some photos, and post them on Instagram with #squturkeytrot.

Donation drop off and T-Shirt pick up
Sunday, November 15 and Sunday, November 22
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Squantum School, 50 Huckins Ave, Squantum MA

Head over to the Squantum School with your $20 cash or check donation.
Make checks payable to: Squantum July 4th

T-shirts are limited this year but the committee also has shirts available from prior years.

All proceeds benefit the Squantum Fourth of July Parade.

We look forward to seeing your photos! Get out there and have some fun!

 

Ringing in the season

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Santa Squantum Tree Lighting 2016

Those chilly temps are bringing on the season! Get ready to kick it off Quincy style with parachuting elves, sing alongs, and two tree lightings. Here’s a roundup of Quincy and Squantum holiday festivities over Thanksgiving weekend. After you recover from the Turkey Trot and the feast…head out with your friends and family to celebrate the warmth of the season.

Squantum Tree Lighting
Sunday, December 1, 2019 at 4:00 pm (after the Quincy Parade)
Gilbert Memorial Park, at the intersection of Huckins Avenue and East Squantum Street [map]
Join the festivities as we kick off the holiday season with the annual Tree Lighting following the Quincy Christmas Parade. Head over to the triangle at Gilbert Memorial Park and join your neighbors for hot cocoa and delicious cookies provided by the Seaside Gardeners of Squantum. Join in on the carol singing as we welcome Santa Claus who will do the honors of lighting up the tree! Hope to see you and the whole family there!

Note: if the Quincy Parade is postponed due to weather, the tree lighting will also be postponed.

Quincy holiday festivities 

View the flyer for the weekend festivities, or visit the Quincy site with info.

Quincy tree lighting celebration
Friday, November 29, 5–7 pm
Hancock Adams Common
, 1305 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA [map]
Enjoy the Hancock-Adams Common, decked with twinkling lights and holiday displays. Mayor Koch and special guests – maybe one from the North Pole – will flip the switch to bring the holiday spirit to the Common. Heated tents will be set up for this event. Enjoy strolling Victorian carolers, ice sculptures, street performers, and costumed characters, as well as activities including letter writing to Santa. Enjoy free popcorn and hot chocolate, and check out holiday treats from local vendors.

Scheduled activities

  • 5:00 pm: Donna Marie Children’s Puppet Show
  • 5:45 pm: Children’s Christmas Chorus
  • 6:15 pm: Tree Lighting Ceremony hosted by Mayor Thomas P. Koch and a special guest

Santa and Elves arrival by parachute
Cancelled! Due to high winds. 
Date is weather dependent. Stay tuned for confirmation from the City.
Pageant Field, One Merrymount Parkway (up the road from Adams Field), Quincy, MA [map]
Santa and his elves arrive in Quincy by parachute, landing at Pageant Field, at this fun family event. While waiting for the touchdown of the Jolly Old Elf and friends, take a hayride around the field or “high-five” one of the visiting costumed characters!

Fair Saturday
Saturday, November 30, 
11 am – 8 pm

Various locations around downtown Quincy
Fair Saturday is a global cultural movement of which Quincy is proud to be part. This festival of local arts and culture will include musicians and artists performing in Quincy, the first official U.S. city to join this movement. In lieu of an admission fee for Fair Saturday, donations are suggested and will benefit each performer’s selected social cause.
View the schedule of events and learn more about Fair Saturday.

City of Quincy Christmas Parade
Sunday, December 1, 12:30 pm-3:30 pm
Hancock Street
Enjoy an old fashioned Christmas parade featuring high school and adult marching bands from around the state, Christmas themed floats, costumed characters, antique vehicles, and Santa in his traditional fire truck ride. The parade route begins at the intersection of Hancock Street and the Walter J. Hannon Parkway, continuing up Hancock Street to North Quincy High School. This is one of the largest parades in the Commonwealth. The theme this year will be Christmas Around the World.
The new parking garage on Cottage Avenue will be open, and the Ross Lot has a walkway from the lot to the parade route on Hancock Street.

Please note: In the interest of public safety, all bags and backpacks are subject to public search.

 

Start T-Day at the Squantum Turkey Trot

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Turkey TrotWelcome to November, Squantumites! As the temps turn cooler, it’s time to think about…summer and the parade of course! On Thanksgiving Day grab your family and friends and get ready for the big feast with a fun run to support the Squantum July Fourth Parade.

Annual Turkey Trot 3 mile Fun Run/Walk
Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 28, 2019, 9:00 am
(Register in advance or day of starting at 8:00 am)
Nickerson Post, 20 Moon Island Road, Squantum MA

Entrance fee:
$20 fee includes long-sleeved T-shirt (while supplies last) and refreshments.
$10 fee for ages 15 and under
Make checks payable to: Squantum 4th of July
All proceeds benefit the Squantum Fourth of July Parade.
(Note: chip timing not provided at this fun run. Just a fun run with friends and family.)

How to enter:
Mail a filled out entry form and check to:
Judi Smith, 289 Bellevue Road, Squantum, MA 02171
or
Sign up Thanksgiving morning at the Post starting at 8 am.

Questions? Email Judi

Craft fair and cafe Nov 2 hosted by Seaside Gardeners

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Join The Seaside Gardeners of Squantum for
A Faire For All Seasons
and pick up some fabulous treats!

Saturday, November 2,  10 am – 2 pm
Kennedy Center, 440 East Squantum St., Quincy [map]

Find a great selection of gifts and items for the upcoming holiday season, including crafts, handmade goods, homemade baked goods, toys and books, as well as treasures at the Second Hand Rose table.

Enjoy corn and clam chowder and hot dogs at Pat’s Cafe from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM.

Shop early for the best selection! There is a little something for everyone and plenty of free parking.

A beautiful cause

All proceeds benefit garden club community activities such as Squantum School Junior Gardeners, Causeway Beautification Program, Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, Annual Scholarship Fund, and the Blue Star Memorial Program, which honors all men and women (past, present, and future) of the Armed Forces of America.

Learn more about the Seaside Gardeners.

Meet the candidates October 23

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Join the Squantum Community Association on October 23 to meet the candidates running for mayor and the Ward 6 seat on the Quincy City Council. Come meet our neighbors interested in serving our community. At this informal gathering (not a debate) each candidate will share their thoughts in an opening statement and residents will be invited to pose questions. Please also consider sending your questions for the candidates to the SCA in advance and we will pose them to the candidates on your behalf.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at 7 pm
First Church of Squantum (lower level)
164 Bellevue Rd, Squantum, MA (map)
Refreshments will be served.

November 5 election
The council seat in Ward 6 covers Squantum, Marina Bay, and parts of North Quincy.

The candidates running for mayor

  • Thomas P. Koch – Newbury Ave., Quincy, MA (Koch on Facebook and website)
  • Brenda A. Ryan – Cranch St., Quincy, MA

The candidates running for Ward 6 City Councilor

News coverage

About the Squantum Community Association
The Squantum Community Association provides programming that fosters conversation and community with a focus on topics of interest to the Squantum and Quincy communities, highlighting local talent and history.

To subscribe to event notifications send us a note.

Get your float on…sign up today for July Fourth parade!

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Squantum Fourth picnic (photo by M Lee)The kiddies are squealing at Orchard Beach and the birds are chirping…It’s another glorious start to summer in Squantum and the pinnacle of our year is just around the corner. Start planning your red, white, and blue, and gathering the neighbors to come up with your award-winning float ideas! Give Paula and the July Fourth Parade Committee a call today and sign up your floats and marchers and send in your Grand Marshall nominations for the big day!

Mark your calendars…the marching of the parade is 
Thursday, July 4, 2019 at 10 a.m. 

Saturday, June 29, 10 a.m.: Squantum Road Race

  • 9:30 a.m.: Registration
  • 10 a.m.: Road Race

Meet at the Squantum Community Center, 50 Huckins Ave, Squantum
Registration: $20/adult, Kids under 10 free
Trophies and t-shirts provided.
All proceeds benefit the parade. Sponsored by State Rep. Bruce Ayers

Thursday, July Fourth:

  • 9 a.m.: Flag raising at the cannon by members of the Robert I. Nickerson Post
  • 10 a.m.: the Parade steps off
  • Awards and fun behind the Squantum School following the parade

Floats: register by June 22
Get the neighbors and kids together and start dreaming up your float ideas for a chance to win a cash prize! Kids and adult floats are welcome. The winning float will have a sign posted on their street for a week announcing the coveted victory. Good luck!

Register your float by June 22 by emailing Squantumparade@yahoo.com or
call Doreen Douglas at 617-360-1975. Provide a Squantum address with your registration.

Marchers: register by June 26
Marchers of all kinds are welcome to join the parade! Little groups, big groups, individuals, marchers in costumes, as well as Local Youth Sports are welcome to march. Decorate your baby carriages and wagons and join the festivities!
Register marchers by June 26 by emailing Squantumparade@yahoo.com.

Grand Marshall
The committee is accepting nominations for the Parade Grand Marshall.
Please nominate a Squantum resident who has shown great involvement with the community over the years.
Email nominations to Squantumparade@yahoo.com or call Paula Glynn 617-834-9996.

Support the parade…give a donation
Your donations are welcome by the July 4th Committee. Marchers and float registrations are free, so donations keep this fabulous tradition going. Suggested donation per family is $20, but any donation is very much appreciated.
Checks can be made payable to: Squantum July 4th Committee
Mail or drop off to:  Judi Smith, 289 Bellevue Road, Squantum, MA 02171

Join the Parade! Sign up…
Simply email SquantumParade@yahoo.com to sign up your float, group, band, and marchers, and to nominate the Grand Marshall.

Visit the July 4th Parade page to keep up to date.

Feeling nostalgic? Check out photos in the Scoop photo gallery.

  

We’re cooking up some fun with Squantum artists and chefs on Sat. 3/23

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The Squantum Community Association and First Church of Squantum host an Art Exhibit and Crock-Pot Cook-Off

The ocean is sporting a beautiful clear green in Squantum for St. Paddy’s and the flower stalks are bursting through the ground…spring is indeed around the corner! To celebrate the coming of spring this week, we have a treat for you. Join us on Saturday, March 23 from 4-6 pm for an afternoon of art and conversation, with a bit of Crock-Pot cookery thrown in!

Saturday, March 23, 4:00 – 6:00 PM
First Church of Squantum, Fellowship Hall (lower level)
164 Bellevue Rd, Squantum, MA (map)
This is a free event.

Exhibit of Squantum Artists
Ruth Ann Wetherby paintingThe Squantum Community Association is hosting an exhibit of works by our creative Squantum neighbors that will include photography, painting, drawing, and fabric arts. Enjoy the creative vision of photographers Abby Rose Plourde and Deb Squires, botanical watercolorist Ruth Ann Wetherby, along with painter Jean Mayer Green, and mixed-media artist David Rivard, as well as drawings by artist Glen Buscher. Come meet these inspired artists. We’ll also have on display a few hooked rug pieces by fiber artist Emily Robertson, and paintings and drawings by artist Alberta Hodgen Howe.

Crock-Pot Cook-Off!
Crock-Pot Cook-OffIn between perusing the wonderful art and mingling with your neighbors, put your taste buds to the test at First Church of Squantum’s Crock-Pot Cook-Off! Sample these tasty creations and vote for your favorite. Like what you taste? Pick up the recipe book, available for purchase at the event.

About the Squantum Community Association
The Squantum Community Association provides programming that fosters conversation and community with a focus on topics of interest to the Squantum and Quincy communities, highlighting local talent and history.

To subscribe to event notifications send us a note.